Craig Sheffer

Actor, Producer, Writer

Strikingly if unconventionally handsome, Sheffer has had a spotty film career but tends to shine in TV-movies and miniseries. While appealing as affable "himbos" ("Babycakes" CBS, 1989) and cut-rate Cassanovas ("Sleep ... Read more »

Strikingly if unconventionally handsome, Sheffer has had a spotty film career but tends to shine in TV-movies and miniseries. While appealing as affable "himbos" ("Babycakes" CBS, 1989) and cut-rate Cassanovas ("Sleep With Me" 1994; "Bloodknot" Showtime, 1995), Sheffer may be best served by playing reckless charmers abetted by an unselfconscious sense of entitlement ("Some Kind of Wonderful" 1987; "A Season in Purgatory" CBS, 1996). With his straightforward naturalistic performance style, he veers toward the competent and amiable rather than the charismatic and compelling. This quality was well showcased in his most high-profile project, Robert Redford's "A River Runs Through It" (1992). Against an exquisitely photographed natural backdrop, the film depicted the relationship between two very different sons of a stern but loving minister father (Tom Skerritt). Sheffer brought well-tempered nuances to the role of the stable and responsible older brother of the golden but doomed Brad Pitt. Sheffer had the less showy role but held his own.

Co-starred in Robert Redford's acclaimed "A River Runs Through It"

Feature producing debut, "Instant Karma"

Has retroactively claimed that he was diagnosed with cancer which subsequently went into remission after filming "A River Runs Through It" (date approximate)

1985

Suffered what he described as "a nervous breakdown" during which he was unable to leave his home for several months (date approximate)

1985

Feature debut, "That Was Then...This Is Now" opposite Emilio Estevez

1983

Broadway debut, assumed the role of Alan in Harvey Fierstein's "Torch Song Trilogy"

1983

TV series debut with "The Hamptons"

1980

Found an agent; began getting acting jobs in commercials

1980

Moved to NYC at the urging of his girlfriend

1975

At age 15, began competing in regional and state high school drama competitions

Grew up in York, a Pennsylvania steeltown

Formed Desert Winds Films with partner Stephen J Bratter

Progressed to amateur filmmaking when his family purchased a Super-8mm camera

With his partner Bratter (and two others), received executive producer credits on the feature "Demolition Man", a Sylvester Stallone sci-fi satire, as part of a settlement with Warner Brothers over who conceived the story

Hitchhiked around the US

Worked in a steel mill

Broke up with girlfriend, lost his job and spent several weeks homeless; slept under the marble staircase in Grand Central Station; occasionally was able to afford a bed at the YMCA

Played college football at East Stroudsbourg State College; athletics derailed by knee injury

At the urging of Fierstein, returned to the role of Alan in "Torch Song Trilogy" until a fall reinjured his knee; left the show; underwent reconstructive surgery

Claims to have performed a matinee of "Torch Song Trilogy" under the influence of psychoactive mushrooms

Appeared on the ABC daytime drama "One Life to Live"

Began performing with his brother as a child, putting on shows for their parents

During an interview in MOVIELINE (September 1996), Sheffer was asked if the sexually explicit "Bliss" was a risky career move:"I don't really have that kind of career. I'm not a blockbuster movie star. I look at myself as a blue-collar actor. I get up and go to work. Plus I like a lot of emotional duress in my parts. That's fun to me. I'm sure they offered this film to bigger actors first. I know they were offering it to name girls, and nobody wanted to touch it."